Member Article

Business lender breathes life into start-up defibrillator business

Leeds-based Defib Machines has received £140,000 in funding to expand its UK wide defibrillator supply and service business.

The £50k loan from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) combined with the £50k funding from NPIF - BEF & FFE Microfinance and the £40k loan from the Start Up Loans Company (SULCO) was used to purchase additional machines to fulfil national contracts and to create ten jobs in sales, admin and technical departments.

The company, which is in its second year, supplies businesses with defibrillators and provides installation, signage and training to ensure there are employees in each organisation that understand how to use the units.

BEF, a social enterprise offering funding and support to businesses across Yorkshire and the North East, was awarded joint fund manager status for NPIF - BEF & FFE Microfinance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, in April last year.

Jonathan Gilbert, Managing Director, said: “I got the idea for Defib Machines after travelling abroad and noticing that there were defibrillators everywhere I went, on every street corner - it got me thinking, why don’t I see this at home? I was determined to create an affordable package that offered defibrillator machines which can be specifically tailored to each industry.”

According to a recent study, only 8% of people survive cardiac arrests in the UK and less than half of bystanders intervene when they witness someone collapse . Defib Machines is aiming to improve these statistics by providing an efficient service to businesses so they are ready to act if ever needed.

“We are extremely passionate about the service we provide and grateful for the backing from BEF, NPIF - BEF & FFE Microfinance and SULCO which has allowed the business to expand. In the past few months Bradford College and Manchester Central Convention Complex are amongst those who have already found that adding a defibrillator machine can be the difference between life and death for employees and visitors.” Jonathan added.

Defib Machines works with various industries including construction and retail offering modified packages in accordance to what these sectors require.

Investment manager at BEF, Hilary Watson, said: “There are currently so many stories about defibrillators in the news and the need for the units is continuing to grow. The passion that the Defib Machines team has is fantastic to work with and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that we have a part in helping Britain become heart safe - I’m looking forward to continuing to support this great business!”

Mark Wilcockson, senior manager at British Business Bank, said: “It is great to see the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund helping businesses grow in the Yorkshire & Humber region which have a real impact on surrounding communities. Innovative and ambitious companies like Defib Machines are at the forefront of the progression and development of the region and by working with our fund managers we aim to support more businesses seeking growth finance.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .